GAME 1 | Southern Indiana 3, Tennessee State 2

Southern Indiana's three-run fourth proved to be the difference in the ballgame, as the Tennessee State Tigers lost a heartbreaker to the Screaming Eagles by the score of 3-2 on Sunday. Freshman Holly Ayala (4-10) started and took the loss in the circle for TSU (16-22-1). The right-hander went seven innings, giving up three runs, two earned, on six hits, allowing two walks, and striking out one.

Offensively, the Tigers were paced by junior Laila Armstrong, who went 2-for-3 on the day with an RBI. Sophomore Ryla Traylor also furnished a standout day at the dish, going 1-for-2 with two walks. Junior Peyton Fointno also contributed for Tennessee State, putting together one hit in three trips to the plate while adding an RBI.

HOW IT HAPPENED

The Tigers got on the scoreboard first in the second inning when they got their two runs. Graduate student Nahtali Simpson led off the inning with a double and scored on Fointno's single up the middle. Fointno stole second and scored on Armstrong's single to left field.

The score stayed the same until the top of the fourth when USI put together four hits and scored three runs. It was Ayala's only bad inning, as she only gave up two more hits the rest of the way.

The Tigers were solid in the field for the second game in a row. Ayala helped herself when she started a double play with one out and the bases loaded in the top of the sixth to keep the game close.

GAME NOTES

» TSU scored twice in the second inning but couldn't manufacture much more offense.
» Ayala faced 29 Southern Indiana hitters in the game, allowing 12 ground balls and seven fly balls while striking out one.
» The Tigers drew five walks from Southern Indiana pitching.
» Armstrong led the Tigers at the plate, going 2-for-3 with two RBI.
» Southern Indiana was led offensively by Lexi Fair, who went 2-for-3 with an RBI.


GAME 2 | Southern Indiana 5, Tennessee State 1

Sophomore Ryla Traylor went 2-for-3 for the Tennessee State Tigers in a 5-1 loss to the Southern Indiana Screaming Eagles on Sunday. Sophomore Caitlyn Manus (12-13) got the ball to start for Tennessee State and took the loss. At the plate, the Tigers were paced by Traylor, and graduate student Nahtali Simpson also furnished a standout effort, going 1-for-3 with a double.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Trailing 2-0 after a two-run home run by the OVC's leading hitter Allie Goodin, the Tigers put a run on the board in the sixth inning when Traylor led off the inning with a single and pinch-hitter Kailyn Jean-Baptiste walked. After a fielder's choice and a single by senior Marisa Mauroschadt advanced Jean-Baptiste to third to load the bases, Jean-Baptiste scored on a sacrifice fly by Fointno, trimming the lead to 2-1. 

Goodin put the game out of reach when she hit a three-run homer in the top of the seventh. The Tigers then were retired in order in the bottom of the inning to finish the game. 
 

» TSU faced 34 Southern Indiana hitters in the game, allowing five ground balls and 13 fly balls while striking out three.
» The Lady Tigers drew four walks from Southern Indiana pitching.
» Traylor led the Tigers at the plate, going 2-for-3.
» Southern Indiana was led offensively by senior Goodin, who went 2-for-4 with two home runs and all five RBI.
» Sophomore Josie Newman led the Screaming Eagles pitching staff, throwing seven innings of one-run ball.

The Tigers will return to action with a weekend three-game series at Tennessee Tech this Saturday and Sunday.